Gun Control Bill Headed Towards Final Vote

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Robert Lang and Associated Press

Senators listen to Prince George's County Democrat Jim Rosapepe speak on this bill. (Photo by WBAL's Robert Lang)

State Sen. Jim Rosapepe, whose district includes College Park, says this bill would prevent the kind of incidents like the recent murder-suicide involving three University of Maryland students. Download This File

Senate Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin called on his colleagues to delay any action on this gun control bill. Download This File

The full Senate today also rejected an amendment that would have stripped the bill of the handgun licensing requirements, including the requirement that those seeking a handgun license submit their fingerprints to the Maryland State Police.

The vote to defeat that amendment was 27-20.

An amendment that would only remove the fingerprinting requirement was defeated Wednesday night in a 23-23 tie vote.

Senate President Mike Miller has criticized that requirement, though on Tuesday he told reporters that he expected it to remain in the final bill.

Senators also approved restrictions on access to guns by the mentally ill.

Senators initially approved an amendment sponsored by Baltimore County Democrat Jim Brochin that would have eliminated diminution credits for those convicted of violent gun crimes.

Senators voted to reconsider the measure, and it was rejected in a separate vote.

Those credits allow those convicted of a crime to get time off of their prison sentence for good behavior.

Brochin argued that eliminating those credits would deter crime and keep violent offenders off the streets.

Senate President Mike Miller argued that Senate rules required the issue be considered in a separate bill.